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7x10, 7x12, 7x14 Mini-Lathe Information

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CUTTING TOOLS

Here are a few cutting tools that you'll need..

Looking for information on indexable inserts? Click here.

here's a boring head with some bits. this is great for making large holes if you don't have a lathe or the workpiece is oddly shaped for the lathe chuck.

click here to see it in action.

you should file edges or use a deburring tool to avoid nasty cuts.
here are some 1/2" milling bits. starting from the left:
  • v-bit (can be used to make v-grooves or for chamfering. using this means you don't have to rotate the workpiece or head to 45 deg.)
  • 4-flute roughing center cutting roughing bit (for fast, mass removal of material)
  • 4-flute end mill. this is the standard issue bit for fine finishes.
  • 2-flute end mill. this is the standard issue for semi-mass removal of material. good for non-ferrous materials (aluminum, plastics, etc..)
here's a radius cutter for nice rounded edges.

this is a 3/16" radius.

used for large surface areas, flycutters produce smooth face finishes.

tip: if you have a CNC converted mill, you can use the jog function as a quasi-autofeed. works great!

click here to see it in action

chips anyone?
there aren't enough modifications for the 4x6 (4"x6") harbor freight bandsaw to warrant its own page. this harbor freight model #37151 is a cheap bandsaw that just works. the enco model #505-6840 is a much better built bandsaw with the blade running almost true out of the box. it unfortunately also comes with a sheet metal stand.

the cheap stands (sheet metal) were replaced with a  bed frame. one frame was cut and welded together with a MIG welder. the metal is almost unweldable. it's also not very pliable, so even with an under 15 degree bend, one piece cracked and had to be welded back together.

the plywood was cut to fit and act as a shelf. four caster wheels are mounted to the plywood below.

this is not the greatest version of a stand, but it works quite well!

a 5" diameter! slotting saw.

it's quite intimidating using this thing.

the 2.5" dia. slotting saw is much easier to work with, but given the 1" diameter arbor hole, it leaves only 0.75" of cutting radius.

it's like having a circular saw without the guard spinning freely in the air.

here's the saw in use to cut a slit in the acetal nut for anti-backlash.

to see more info on how to make your own acetal anti-backlash nut, click here.

Want to make a finish as smooth as a baby's bottom? Drop the fly cutter (shown above) and use a face mill. Here's a 2" diameter indexable face mill with triangular inserts (we'll do a write-up on inserts shortly).

indexable-insert-face-mill

 

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We're prototyping a benchtop CNC vertical mill using the DigiSpeed-XL interface card for Mach, Dart Controls and KB Electronics KBIC/KBMM 90VDC motor controllers, 1.5HP treadmill motor from Surplus Center and a R8-spindle head from the X2 mini-mill - not to mention Gecko servo drives and an entirely closed-loop system. Come take a look!

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